SANTA CLARA — Here are the highlights from Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy’s conference call Thursday with Bay Area media, to preview Monday night’s game against the 49ers in Lambeau Field:

1. QB IMPRESSIONS: C.J. Beathard will make his third straight start (and eighth career start) since Jimmy Garoppolo went down, and McCarthy is impressed with how productive the 49ers offense remains (447 yards in Sunday’s loss to Arizona).

“The biggest thing with the backup quarterback, especially when he’s young and just going through it last year, is keeping the offense playing to the full menu of a game plan,” McCarthy said. “You just look at their production and you have to say C.J. definitely does that. That’s a compliment to him but also to their coaching staff for having the young man ready.”
Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers is taken off the field on a cart after injuring his leg during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps) (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

McCarthy knows all too well what it’s like to turn to a young backup. The Packers struggled in 2013 when Rodgers missed seven games because a broken collar bone, going 2-4-1 with replacements Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn. Rodgers returned to beat the Chicago Bears in the regular-season finale before losing at home to the 49ers in a wild-card playoff game. Another broken collarbone robbed the Packers of Rodgers last season and Brett Hundley went 3-6 as his replacement.

“We handled it a little better in 2013. Our offense stayed productive but the giveaways were way too much,” McCarthy said. “Last year our productivity was not where it needed to be and we turned the ball over too much.”

A reporter’s sarcastic question put a halt to Thursday’s call.

The question: Have you found you’re a more intelligent coach, at least to public perception, when Aaron Rodgers is healthy?

“People aren’t targeting him. That always tells you a lot there about Richard,” McCarthy said. “I just think, especially with where he’s at in his career, he diagnoses routes extremely well. I’ve always felt he’s so strong at the breaking points of routes and does a great job of playing to his length. He’s an excellent player, always has been and I think he looks good.”
San Francisco 49ers’ Richard Sherman (25) stands on the field during a timeout as they play the Detroit Lions in the first quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

3. Whole lot of George: With 23 catches for 399 yards, George Kittle has been the 49ers’ leading receiver, and McCarthy has taken notice of a second-year tight end who had 43 receptions for 515 yards as a rookie.

“I didn’t watch a whole lot of George last year but he’s a fine player,” McCarthy said. “He’s definitely got our attention. He’s off to a great start and he can do it all from the tight end position. I’ve been very impressed with George.”
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) runs past against Arizona Cardinals’ Budda Baker (36) in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

4. Turnover talk: Both the Packers and 49ers quarterbacks lost two fumbles on strip sacks last Sunday and both teams are struggling with turnovers all season.

“It’s a focus for us. We have not played to the standard that we have set here over the 13 years,” said McCarthy, whose club has committed eight turnovers (six fumbles).

The 49ers’ five turnovers in Sunday’s loss raised their season total to 11, one shy of Jacksonville’s NFL high. Defensively, the 49ers have only three takeawys and the Packers have only six. McCarthy told Green Bay reporters he talked in-depth in the Packers team meeting Thursday about turnovers.

5. No comparison: The Packers have endured several past battles against the Seahawks, and McCarthy wouldn’t go so far as say the 49ers’ defensive scheme is similar to Seattle’s. “I don’t view these guys as the same as Seattle,” McCarthy said. “There are some obvious similarities and you look a the design of their defense and the body type they’re after.”

His thoughts on the 49ers’ third-down defense: “I wouldn’t get into scheme. I think they do a good job.”